We'll post the latest scams here.
These examples may help you learn what an Inland Revenue scam looks like.
7 April 2022
Details that show this is a scam.
- Not from an Inland Revenue email address.
- Includes a refund amount which we never do in email.
- There's typos.
- There's a hyperlinked button to supposedly log in to myIR. We'd ask you to log in to myIR at ird.govt.nz.
- When hovering over the link it shows it does not go to our website.
Details that show this is a scam:
- it is not from an Inland Revenue email address
- the logo is not visually correct
- there is a link to supposedly update your contact details. We'd ask you to log in to myIR through ird.govt.nz
- hovering over the login link shows it does not go to our website
- there is no sign off at the end of the message.
Details that show this is a scam:
- It is not from an Inland Revenue email address
- there's a hyperlink to supposedly view a message about your tax information. We'd ask you to log in to myIR through ird.govt.nz
- hovering over the hyperlink shows it does not go to our website.
22 November 2021
Details that show this is a scam:
- It is not from an Inland Revenue email address.
- There's a hyperlink to supposedly file your tax return. We'd ask you to log in to myIR through ird.govt.nz
- Hovering over the login link shows it does not go to our website.
22 September 2021
Details that show this is a scam:
- It is not from an Inland Revenue email address.
- It shows a refund amount. We do not include dollar amounts in our refund emails.
- It contains spelling mistakes.
- There's a hyperlink to supposedly confirm your tax refund. We'd ask you to log in to myIR through ird.govt.nz
- Hovering over the myIR login link shows it does not go to our website.
- It says 'Copyright 2021 Inland Revenue' - we do not do this.
20 September 2021
Details that show this is a scam:
- It is not from an Inland Revenue email address.
- The logo is not our Inland Revenue logo.
- There's a hyperlink to supposedly log in to myIR. We'd ask you to log in to myIR through ird.govt.nz
- Hovering over the myIR login link shows it does not go to our website.
13 September 2021
Details that show this is a scam:
- It is not from an Inland Revenue email address.
- It includes a refund amount, which we never do in an email.
- It asks for your credit card details. We will never do this.
- There's a link to supposedly log in to myIR. We'd ask you to log in through ird.govt.nz
- It has a typo/misspelling.
- It ends with © Inland Revenue and 'All rights reserved' which we do not do.
24 August 2021
Details that show this is a scam:
- Not from an Inland Revenue email address
- Includes a refund amount which we never do in an email
- There's a hyperlink to supposedly log in to myIR. We’d ask you to log in to myIR through ird.govt.nz
- Hovering over the myIR login link shows it does not go to our website.
6 August 2021
Details that show this is a scam:
- It is not from an Inland Revenue email address.
- Hovering over the myIR login link shows it does not go to our website.
21 July 2021
Details that show this is a scam:
- Not from an Inland Revenue email address
- Includes a refund amount which we never do in an email
- There are typos
- There's a hyperlinked button to supposedly log in to myIR. We'd ask you to log in to myIR via ird.govt.nz
22 June 2021
Customers report receiving a phone call from someone claiming to be from Inland Revenue.
Details that show this is a scam:
- The phone call uses threatening language.
- The scammer pressures you to make a decision or do something quickly.
- You may be asked to press 1 to be connected to someone. We don't offer this service.
Although the phone calls vary slightly each time, they typically follow this pattern:
You'll get an automated call from someone claiming to be from Inland Revenue. The scammer will tell you fraudulent activity has been detected in your account and a warrant has been issued for your arrest. You may be asked to press 1 to talk to a representative from Inland Revenue.
What to do if you receive a phone call
Hang up as soon as you realise it's a scam. Please let us know what happened by emailing us at:
Your quick action can help us protect our customers. Thank you.
18 March 2021
Details that show this is a scam:
- Specific dollar amount or refund
- The link points to non-Inland Revenue address